By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Barnes & Noble at The Grove has a couple of high-profile dates on the calendar this week. On Nov. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Jennifer Hudson is celebrating the release of her debut holiday album, “The Gift of Love” by allowing fans the chance to meet with the Emmy-winning producer, Oscar-winning actress, Grammy-winning musician and daytime TV talk show host.
Options are available for memorable photos, signed copies and gift wrapping.
Later in the week, on Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m., comedian, actress and New York Times best-selling author Tiffany Haddish will read and sign copies of her children’s picture book, “Layla, The Last Black Unicorn.” The event is in partnership with the She Ready Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by Haddish that inspires, protects and provides resources to youth impacted by foster care.
Call the store at 323-900-8080 for further information including ticketing and pricing.
FESTIVAL FILE: The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center’s 30th annual S. E. Manly African American Short Film Festival is set for Nov. 15–17 at Regal LA Live, continuing its platform for rising and established filmmakers while exploring innovations in storytelling.
Katt Williams, David Alan Grier, Quinta Brunson, Nicole Richie, Padma Lakshmi, Omar J. Dorsey, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader, Mike Myers and other creatives are on the slate of Vulture Festival 2024 taking place at NYA East Nov. 16-17.
EXIT PLANS: “I am about to play Othello at 70 [on Broadway in February]. After that, I am playing Hannibal [for director Antoine Fuqua]. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ After that, I’m going to do the film ‘Othello,’ After that, I’m going to do ‘King Lear.’ After that, I’m going to retire.” – DENZEL WASHINGTON, while promoting “Gladiator II,” to Australia’s “Today”
CLIPPETTES: NBA legend and jazz aficionado Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Grammy Award-winning pianist Hiromi come together to honor bassist and composer Stanley Clarke with the inaugural BroadStage Trailblazer Award at the 2024 BroadStage Gala to be held Nov. 15 at Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel …
In addition that evening, Patti LaBelle launches The 80/65 Tour at the Pechanga Casino (coming to Long Beach’s Terrace Theater Nov. 17), trumpeter/vocalist Johnny Britt performs at The World Stage, and Sting’s 3.0 Tour continues through Nov. 17 at The Wiltern …
On Nov. 16, The Soraya recreates the rarely performed original 1924 version of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” originally composed for a jazz band (not the orchestral version more commonly performed) with conductor Chris Rountree, pianist Conrad Tao and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra …
While over at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, The Kingdom Choir, which first attracted the world’s attention when they performed their show-stopping performance of “Stand By Me” in front of a worldwide television audience at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are in concert conducted by founder Karen Gibson …
Neo Soul is on the midweek menu with Musiq Soulchild at City National Grove of Anaheim on Nov. 16, and Sy Smith is at Vibiana the following night …
Usher hits the Honda Center on Nov. 18 with a second show added Nov. 19 …
Catalina Bar & Grill hosts Sunset Comedy Night with Craig Robinson, Kumail Nanjiani, Darrell Hammond and more on Nov. 19 …
On Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m., the Grammy Museum, in conjunction with the opening of the new exhibit Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance, presents a special screening of “Luther: Never Too Much” and a post-screening panel discussion with the filmmakers, including director Dawn Porter (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”) …
Meanwhile, the Elliott Bros. and host Chris Spencer bring their Comedy Block Party back to Inglewood’s Miracle Theater with a lineup featuring headliner Tony Roberts, Dominique, Jay Phillips, Lil G, and Speedy …
JuliensAuctions.com is offering fans the opportunity to bid on items “Played, Worn & Torn” by musical greats including Prince, Sammy Davis Jr., John Lee Hooker, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Elvis Presley and more Nov. 20 & 21 …
Halle performs new music in her second intimate show at The Sun Rose on Nov. 21. This marks a return to live performances after acting roles in “Grown-Ish,” “The Color Purple” and “The Little Mermaid.”
TASTY QUIP: “I started [Jake Paul] on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him. As soon as I catch this guy it’s going to be totally over. He is going to run. He is gonna run like a thief.” – 58-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion MIKE TYSON on his return to the boxing ring against the 27-year-old social media sensation on Netflix Nov. 15 for a $40 million prize.
TC ON TV: Nov. 15 – “Cobra Kai, Part 2” (Netflix): This kick-ass spinoff series delivers its final episodes. “An Almost Christmas Story” (Disney+): Mamoudou Athie (“Jurassic World Dominion,” “Uncorked”) adds voice to this animated tale of a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. “Twisters” (Peacock): The summer blockbuster with Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos comes to streaming.
Nov. 16 – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Charli XCX
Nov. 17 – “Landman” (Paramount+): Billy Bob Thornton, Andy Garcia, Jon Hamm, Demi Moore and Michael Peña make up the cast of this series set in the world of Texas oil rigs from Taylor Sheridan (“Yellowstone”). “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” (Fox Nation): Hosted, narrated and executive produced by the legendary filmmaker, this multipart docudrama kicks off religious content all new to the platform. “Dune: Prophecy” (HBO): Set 10,000 years before the events of the movies, this series follows two Harkonnen sisters as they establish a fabled all-woman sect.
Nov. 18 – “The Honorable Shyne” (Hulu): The story of Brooklyn rapper Moses “Shyne” Barrow, former protégé of Sean “Puffy” Combs, who after serving time in New York for a nightclub shooting reemerges in his native Belize, entering politics and inspiring a nation.
Nov. 19 – “The French Montana Story” (Paramount+): Chronicles the unlikely rise of the Moroccan born, diamond-selling recording artist as his single mother sacrifices everything to raise her three young sons in the Bronx, after being abandoned by their father and left destitute. “The View” (ABC): Keke Palmer “Black Comedy In America” (Vice): “Richard Pryor”
Nov. 20 – “Bilal: Live at Glasshaus” (YouTube/GlasshausPresents): In this 25-year retrospective, the talented vocalist is joined by his closest collaborators, Questlove, Common, Robert Glasper and Burniss Travis, to perform his classic songs for an intimate concert accompanied by interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. “Wish List Games” (Prime): A multi-episode holiday event hosted by Nick Cannon where contestants play to win everything on their Amazon wish lists. “Our Oceans” (Netflix): Discover the stories just below the surface of Earth’s five oceans in this nature documentary series narrated and co-executive produced by Barack Obama. “Rhythm + Flow” (Netflix): Remy Ma, Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, GloRilla and more join the judges (DJ Khaled, Latto, Ludacris) to find the next big name in hip-hop. “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Ruben Studdard “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Jeffrey Wright “Celebrity Crime Files” (TV1): Explores the murder of beloved rapper and community activist Nipsey Hussle.
Nov. 21 – “A Wesley South African Christmas” (BET+): With Dorien Wilson (“The Parkers”), Jasmine Guy (“A Different World”), and Terrence “T.C.” Carson (“Living Single”). “A Man on The Inside” (Netflix): Ted Danson playsa retiree turned PI in this new series with Margaret Avery and Stephen McKinley Henderson. “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Tina Knowles “The Match: Superstars” (TNT): Celebrities including Charles Barkley, Blake Griffin, Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg and Ken Griffey Jr. compete in golf for a $1 million charitable prize.
END QUOTE: “People don’t remember me for how high my legs went, even though they went up very high, and how many pirouettes I did. They don’t remember me for that. They remember me and any other dancer because something touched them inside. It’s an indelible memory on the heart and in the mind.” – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Emeritus JUDITH JAMISON (Rest In Power)
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached attastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
